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• CSR / Environmental Activities Top

In January 2004, Olympus obtained ISO14001 certification for the Olympus Corporation Environmental Management System. This system governs environmental management by companies within the Olympus Group. It is implemented primarily through the Olympus Corporation Environment Committee.

It encompasses the environmental functions of environment-related committees, environmental management departments, the Corporate Planning Division, and the Risk Management Bureau. Through this system, policies determined by senior management are applied to the environmental activities of branches, groups, centers, and facilities in Japan and overseas.

Management review processes have been strengthened through both internal audits and external third-party audits of environmental management activities, including those of the President, the Director in charge of environmental affairs, and other senior management personnel. A Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle ensures the effective operation of environmental management systems across the entire Olympus Group.
In January 2007, three years after the certificate was originally obtained, a renewal audit was conducted by independent experts from outside of the Olympus Group. In December 2008, a maintenance audit was carried out.

By the end of FY2005, ISO14001 certification had been obtained at 17 major development and manufacturing sites both in Japan and overseas. In FY2006, the Omachi Branch and Sakaki Branch of Olympus Opto-Technologies Co., Ltd. were relocated to the Tatsuno Plant, certification of these facilities was merged, leaving a total of 15 certified sites as of the end of FY2008.

Olympus will continue working actively toward the development of comprehensive environmental management systems covering all of our operations, including distribution, marketing and sales, and services.

Strengthening Environmental Risk Management
In FY2002 soil surveys were undertaken at all sites in Japan under the provisions of Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law. The necessary steps have already been taken at sites where contamination was discovered.

In FY2008, historical use of soil data surveys were implemented at all sites not covered by the FY2002 survey, and protective measures were implemented. We examined historical use of soil data relating to business sites and implemented appropriate measures to prevent soil contamination. We also checked emergency notification systems and special environmental facilities in production facilities. Some of the substances detected on the site of an incinerator at the Tatsuno plant were found to exceed specified levels. In December 2008, the replacement of soil at the site was completed in accordance with official advice.

In fiscal 2008, systems relating to compliance with laws and regulations governing waste from business and service activities were further tightened at all branches and offices. Other measures in fiscal 2008 included the appointment of control officers for industrial waste requiring special management in the relevant departments.

In FY2008, there were no Olympus' violation against any environment-related lawsuits, penalties against Olympus. Some atmospheric and water standards were exceeded at the Shenzhen Factory in China, while legally mandated noise levels were exceeded at the Mishima Plant. Appropriate measures have been implemented. There were a total of five outside complaints concerning development work for a new building in Hachioji and the behavior of smokers in the street at Hatagaya. All complaints were dealt with appropriately by the general affairs departments of the facilities concerned. Notices requiring remedial action were received concerning an odor incident at the Shirakawa Plant and a breach of wastewater standards at the Mishima Plant. These problems were resolved appropriately with the assistance of local authorities.

Paper, Stationery, Office Supplies
Olympus implements a green procurement policy. This policy requires environmentally responsible purchasing of various items, including office equipment and supplies, lighting equipment and motor vehicles, used in work activities by employees. Office supplies are purchased through an in-house electronic procurement system. Under that system, environmentally responsible products are defined as products for which Eco Mark or Green Mark certification has been obtained, products listed in the GPN Environmental Data Book, and products that comply with the Green Procurement Law. Marks indicating that a product is environmentally responsible are attached to the systems. The green procurement ratio for fiscal 2008 was 65%, compared with a target of 70%.

Introducing Eco-cars
We are introducing Eco-cars^Note3 for new company vehicles to curve global warming gas emissions. We will continue to purchase Eco-cars certified as low-emission vehicle with the triple stars (certification mark). In addition, the number of vehicles owned has tended to increase with the expansion of business activities. Olympus is working to optimize the efficiency of its operations and aims to increase its eco-car ratio to 100%. We appeal to all drivers to avoid unnecessary idling by turning off their engines in the parking lots at all our offices and plants.

Note3: Eco-cars: Olympus considers the following five categories of vehicles to be Eco-cars: certified low emission vehicles with higher than a rating, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, natural gas vehicles, and methanol vehicles.

• Promotion of Environmental Management System of FY2007

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